Northern Ireland chooses O’Neill as new manager

Michael O’Neill gestures during a Europa League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Shamrock Rovers at White Hart Lane, London, on Sept. 29.

Photo: AFP

Michael O’Neill will attempt to guide Northern Ireland to a first major soccer tournament since 1986, after being hired as the country’s new manager on Wednesday on a two-year deal.

The former Newcastle mid-fielder is scheduled to take charge on Feb. 1 after being chosen ahead of two other former Northern Ireland internationals, Jim Magilton and Iain Dowie, as the replacement for Nigel Worthington.

The 42-year-old O’Neill came to prominence this season by leading Shamrock Rovers into the group stages of the Europa League — an unprecedented achievement for a club from Ireland. He quit as manager this month, fuelling speculation he would be taken on by Northern Ireland.

“To be entrusted with the role early in my managerial career is quite humbling, but I am confident that we can make progress,” he said. “Northern Ireland has a strong football tradition, but one that needs to be refreshed with some contemporary success.”

A country with a current population of less than 2 million, Northern Ireland has qualified for three World Cups — in 1958, 1982 and 1986 — but has struggled since. It is 88th in the FIFA rankings.

The late George Best is Northern Ireland’s most famous player ever, but the current crop lacks any star names, with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Chris Brunt its leading players.

After a bright start, Northern Ireland finished fifth in its six-team qualifying group for the European Championship next year, below the likes of Estonia and Slovenia.

“There is a huge amount of work to be done, but with the right direction and the necessary passion, good progress can be made,” O’Neill said.

“My job is to work with the players to sustain a competitive performance throughout the qualifying phase of the 2014 World Cup finals,” he added.

A Newcastle player alongside former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne during the late 1980s, O’Neill also won 33 caps for his country during a nomadic playing career that comprised 13 clubs.

He has managed Brechin in the Scottish third tier and then Shamrock in his brief coaching career since 2006, leading the latter club to two national titles.

“The selection panel was very impressed with his thoughts and plans for football in Northern Ireland over the coming years,” Irish Football Association chief executive Patrick Nelson said.

O’Neill’s first game in charge will be a home friendly against Norway on Feb. 29.